Stolen May 4, 2009
From home of Shadd Cobb (John Cowan band)

  Says Jesse Cobb: "Sometime in the afternoon of Monday, May 4, 2009 unknown
  thieves kicked-in the back door of Shadd's little cabin home in the 'hood and made  
  off with the following four instruments. We would appreciate any help in locating
  them." Contact Jesse with info at: mandocobb@hotmail.com

Nashville Guitar Company 'D' Style Guitar Serial #03115
  DESCRIPTION: Mahogany guitar, very light colored wood on the top.
  There is some finger wear near the bottom of the [bridge].
 
Bart Reiter Open-Back 5-String Banjo Serial # (none given)
  DESCRIPTION:Approximately 4-years old. Shad thinks it was modeled after a
  Whyte Lady banjo. No distinguishing marks other than some wear on the head.
  Serial number forthcoming.

Fairfax Abraham Fiddle Serial # (none given)
  DESCRIPTION: Approximately 7 or 8 years old. Paper "Guarneri" label inside.
  LR Baggs pickup installed and a bit of finish wear by the top of the fingerboard.

1998-99 Ratliff F5 Mandolin Serial # (none given)
  DESCRIPTION: Major pick wear on the top, near the scroll. The fingerboard 
  extension has been cutoff and there is a mark on the top where my saw slipped.
  There is also a repaired crack in the top f-hole. Dark sunburst finish.

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Stolen April 23, 2009
From a home in Clemmons, NC
1920 Gibson A4 Mandolin Serial # (illegible)
  DESCRIPTION: Dark cherry with pick guard, no truss rod, fleur-de-lis and "The Gibson" head   inlays, a scuff and dent just behind the bridge; two parallel cracks in the top going under the pick   guard; and Fishman bridge pickup. Stickers on case: Tom's Guitar Service, Yin Yang,
bo-stevens, and a British flag.

1987 Paul Reed Smith Guitar Serial #7-1418
DESCRIPTION: "Signature Series #25" handwritten on back of head. Curly maple top and cherry back and neck, with bird inlays; The case has stickers - Clinton/Gore, Don't Shave My Buzz, King Crimson Discipline, Thwak.

1996 Martin D28 Guitar Serial # (none given)
DESCRIPTION: A dent and short crack in the top, to the left of the bridge. Stickers on case - Old Time is not a crime, The Pine Tops, Obama, and others.

Jeffrey Shu -- Click to reply to post at Mandolin Cafe

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RECOVERY STORY!
From Gena Britt-Tew: "Kevin: Thank you so much for posting about my instruments being stolen on your site. As of 11/5/05, they have all been recovered. There is minimal damage to the resonator on the banjo, but everything else is just like it was. Thanks again for all your help. I plan on posting the full story on my website soon. In the end, the guy that broke in here was on drugs, pawned them & it took some persuasion to get the instruments from the pawn shop. Nice, huh? Anyway, I have them back & I'm very thankful. Have a great holiday season. Best, Gena Britt - Tew"

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Stolen June 17, 2005
From a camper in Bean Blossom, IN
1971 Gibson RB250 Serial #633656

RECOVERY STORY!
From Tom Driessen: "Through a network of musician friends it was found [in 2008] for sale on eBay. The remote seller was aware it was stolen before he shipped it to the new owner, eBay was no help. The out-of-state police were no assistance either. With the continued patience and camaraderie of the local Bean Blossom legal system, finally the disgruntled purchaser and I ended up in court. The banjo was returned to me in need of serious repair late '08. As an interesting note: Because I stated the Head, Bridge, Strings & Case were not mine the seller, using his legal rights, removed those items and wrapped the entire assembly tight with duct tape. I mean only the tape was visable on the entire unit. Someone had stressed the neck heel-to-tone ring while attached. The purchaser stated he wrapped it in the tape to protect it without a case, and the heel damage must have happened during shipment when the banjo got a personal ride in the back seat of the sherriffs vehicle to the evindence room. I had my son Casey take the banjo to luthier Robin Smith in Nashville for repair, who returned it in beautiful condition. The person that found it on eBay was Noam Pikelny, who recognized it from early ventures with Casey. I appreciate you running the add, along with all others who supported me in my quest. Thanks again."
-Tom Driessen

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Stolen September 18-19, 2004
Bean Blossom, Indiana
2003 Martin D18V Guitar  Serial #940513
Contact: Mike Woodard (765) 342-6744
From their camper at the "Uncle Pen Bluegrass Festival" in Bean Blossom, IN
(Mike's wife's purse was also taken)

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Stolen June 7, 2004
Brooklyn, NY
1986 ELLIS F5 MANDOLIN, #46
This mandolin belongs to Bob & Lillian Fraker's son, Ben.
Please contact with any information at frakerbook@vgernet.net

DESCRIPTION: It has a tiger maple two-piece back, and something like a fern inlay on the headstock. No particular scratches or dings. Label inside is signed: "Tom Ellis 1986", and the number is "Ellis #46". The case, which may or may not still be with the mando, is a light gray Calton Case and has a Graves Mountain Bluegrass Festival bumper sticker on it.

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Email us with complete details...including any distinctive markings, custom work, visible damage, etc.
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